FCC PROPOSES RECORD FINE OF $ 9 MILLION AGAINST
QWEST FOR FAILURE TO FILE INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS

Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission
(Commission) today proposed a forfeiture of $9 million against
Qwest Corporation for its failure to file 46 interconnection agreements
with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Arizona
Corporation Commission as required by the Communications Act.

Section 252(a)(1) of the Communications Act requires carriers to file
their interconnection agreements for approval by state public service
commissions. This requirement ensures that incumbent local exchange
carriers, like Qwest, cannot enter into potentially discriminatory
arrangements unknown to their competitors. The Commission found that
Qwest apparently withheld 46 agreements from state commissions in
Minnesota and Arizona, an apparent violation of section 252(a)(1). The
Commission's proposed forfeiture complements state enforcement
proceedings in Minnesota and Arizona relating to the same behavior by
Qwest.